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Linking rebuilding of Syria with political process delays refugees’ return, says minister

August 14, 2018 at 11:24 am

A woman and a girl are seen in a tent as Syrian refugees pass through Oncupinar border gate to reach their hometowns on 29 August, 2017 [Ensar Özdemir/Anadolu Agency]

Syria’s Deputy Foreign Minister said on Monday that the EU’s linking of the country’s rebuilding with the political process undermines the return of refugees, RT reported on Monday. Faisal Al-Miqdad’s colleague, Minister of Local Administration and Environment Hussein Makhlouf, added that lifting the economic sanctions imposed on Syria is necessary for the return of refugees to their country.

The Syrian regime has recently intensified its cooperation with Russia to take Syrian refugees home. Both have issued several calls for the refugees to move back to Syria.

On 18 July, Russia announced the establishment of a refugee centre, supervised by Moscow’s Foreign and Defence Ministries as well as the Syrian regime based in Damascus. The centre will receive and house refugees.

READ: Russia sets up 10 border crossings for repatriation of Syria refugees

The Damascus regime’s ministerial council also announced on 5 August the formation of a commission specialising in the return of refugees to their homes. According to RT, this commission will contact friendly countries to facilitate the return of the refugees and help them return to normal life.

Official statistics put the number of Syrian refugees since the start of the civil war in 2011 at 7 million.